Satavahana Dynasty

[UPSC Notes]

History of the Satavahana Dynasty

The Satavahana dynasty emerged in the Deccan region after the decline of the Sunga
empire around 73 BCE, when the Kanva dynasty ruled Magadha. The term
“Satavahana” is taken from the Prakrit language, which means “driven by seven.” It is
also linked to seven horse driven chariot of lord Sun.
The Maurya Dynasty promptly replace the Shunga powers in northern regions.
Devabooti, the Shunga dynasty’s last emperor, was killed by his minister Vasudeva
Kanva, thus establishing Kanvas rule in the north (Magadha). At that time, the Deccan
and central India were authorized by the Satavahanas.
• Simuka was the first ruler of the Satavahana dynasty for 23 years. After his exit,
Sri Satakrini has taken power into his hands as the third ruler. He conquered the
Berar and west Malwa regions. Also, he conducted Asvamedha's sacrifices after
his victory in the war.
• The early Satavahana dynasty had rulers from Northern Maharashtra; however,
their inheritors slowly expanded towards Karnataka and Andhra regions. As
mentioned in Puranas, the Andhras are referred to as indistinguishable from
Satavahanas. Also, it is believed that Andhras ruled for three hundred years,
designated to the Satavahana dynasty.
• Gautamiputra Satakarni is the most prominent ruler of the Satavahana dynasty,
who ruled for 24 years from (AD. 106 to 130). He overpowered the Shakas and
claimed himself as the destroyer of the Kshatriya emperor Nahapna.
Evidence of his claim is the restriction on the Nahapna’s silver coins by him. Under his
rule, the Satavahana dynasty expanded to Karnataka from Malwa. His mother, Gautami
Balasri, inscribed his accomplishments in the Nasik Inscription. He entitled himself as
Dakshina Pathapati and referred to himself as only Brahmana.
• He was succeeded by Vashishtiputra Pulumayi, who ruled for 24 years from AD
130 to 154. He expanded the Satavahana rule to the bench of the Krishan river.
His epigraphs and coins found in the Andhra region show the Satavahana
dynasty. He made Pratishthan, the Aurangabad district, the Satavahana empire's
capital.
• Later, Vashishtiputra Satakarni and Shivaskabda Satakarni became his
successors. Rudradaman I, the Shaka emperor of Saurashtra, overpowered the
Satavahanas twice.
 • The last emperor of the Satavahana dynasty was Yajna Sri Satakarni, who ruled
for 29 years from (AD 165 to 194). He won back the regions of Malwa and
Konkan from the Shakas.

Rulers Of the Satavahana Dynasty

Several rulers ruled the Satavahana dynasty, some ruled for an extended period, and some
ruled only for a short period. The famous rulers of the Satavahana Dynasty were:

• Simuka
The first ruler of the Satavahana dynasty, Simuka, considered the founder of the Satavahana
dynasty and the ruler who followed the Maurya dynasty, was discovered at Naneghat. Simuka
was famous for many names like Sushila, Sudhira, and Tirpak, because nobody knew his real
name.
Simuka was the ruler who toppled Kanva and made the region expand in many parts of the
world. His dynasty and rule continued for 23 years till his successor Kanha took over the region
as a ruler.

• Kanha
Kanha was the second ruler of the Satavahana dynasty. He defeated Simuka and became the
king of the Satavahana dynasty. He was also succeeded by Shatakarni-I, who was the son of
Simuka.

• Satakarni-I
Sri Satakarni or Satakarni-I is the son of the Simuka, the founder of the Satavahana
Dynasty. He was the third king of the dynasty after the Kanha. He ruled from 70-60 BC
and was considered the first ruler who expanded the region with military support.
Naganika, the daughter of the Maharathi Trainkairo, was the queen of Satakarni-I. He
also performed Ashvamedha Yagya, and he brought Brahmanism back to Deccan.

• Satakarni II
Satakarni II was the fourth king of the Satavahana Dynasty.

• Hala
He is also considered one of the greatest rulers of the Satavahana Dynasty. The
Maharashtri Prakrit “Lilvati” describes the Hala romance with queen Simhaladvipa. This
king is the lover of love who combined a wide variety of poems known as Saptashati,
and the poem's theme was based on love.

His minister Gunadhya composed Brihatkatha, a well-known combination of poetic

stories.

• Gautamiputra Satakarni
He occupied the dynasty from AD 106 to 130. He is the greatest king of the dynasty.
Many believed he revived the dynasty's fortune by defeating shakas. His empire was
situated in Malwa in North Karnataka. He expands the kingdom on a massive scale
from west to east, north, and south, and it can make the presence of a dynasty all over
India.

He was given the title of Rajaraja and Maharaja. He was the only king named after his
mother, GautamiPutra, and finally, he was succeeded by his son Pulumavi,1. The latter
was, unfortunately, the last king of the kingdom.

• Vashithiputra Pulumayi
He was the successor of the Gautama Putra, and his coins were found in the region of
Andhra. He was married to the daughter of Rudradaman 1.

• Yajna Sri Satakarni

He is considered one of the later kings of the Satavahanas dynasty and ruled from 165
to 194 CE. During his reign, he recovered Kokan and Malwa from the Shaka rulers. His
coins were found in states like Andhra, Mahar, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat.

Satavahana Administration
Satavahan's administration was based on shastra, while kings were considered gods by
people, as they thought the king possessed god-like qualities, so they worshiped them
like this and followed them blindly.
Kingdom was divided into subgroups and handled by well-experienced professionals
like Amatysa & Mahamatras. Different officials were made to manage the other regions
of the kingdom to handle things correctly.
• Rural area administration was given to the hand of Gaulimika, the village
headman. He was the one who took care of all the administrative work in the
rural area.
• The Head of a military regiment consists of a chariot, elephants, horses, and
soldiers. Different military camps and settlements are arranged in various parts of
the region to protect the country from having protection from enemies.
Satavahana started the culture of giving grants.
• They started providing tax-free villages to brahmans and Buddhist monks.
• Satavahana kingdom has three grades of feudatories Raja, Maharaja, and
Senapati.

Economy
The Satavahana dynasty was based on farming. Agriculture was the backbone of the
dynasty. Agriculture is the primary source of income for the Satavahana dynasty. The
region saw a massive civilization in the fertile area, especially near the fertile area like
river ponds or where agriculture is done extensively. Therefore, it increased domestic
land trading and income from the region.
Craftsmanship is also a part of the Satavahana economy. Many archaeologists have
found many craft artworks created during the period, showing a large production of such
crafts for livelihood.
Many natural resources were exploited during their time when resources were used for
urbanization and to provide help to people for their craft work. Satavahana has also
been active in many trade activities as they control India’s deports, and they have huge
seaports named Prathisthna and Satavahanaa.
Satavahana has many regions rich in paddy transplantation and is known for cotton
production in various parts. Satavahana dynasty learned to use coins, burst bucks, and
ring bells by being in contact with the north side of the region.

Satavahana’s Dynasty Coins

It was the first dynasty that used coins in the southern region. Coins are excavated from
Deccan, western India, and western ghats. These coins are considered to die
sticks. Various coins are used in the regions like silver, gold, copper, and lead. All the
coins are explicitly used in the area.
They also used punch marked coined, and coins are designed beautifully where
pictures of the king are engraved on the coins. Satavahana has unique coins in shape,
size, and design, like square, rectangular, etc.

Religion And Language during the Satavahana’s

Satavahanas are from the Hindu religion. They consider them as a brahmin, and they
are also very humble towards other regions. Despite being rulers, they value different
castes and do not dominate their religion over the others.
Their kindness and humble nature toward other regions can be seen in their donations
to other religions. They provide resources and land to brahmins, monks, and other
upper caste religions to maintain their seniority.

Satavahana Foreign Trade

Super, bracks, and Kalyan are the well-known ports of the Satavahana dynasty. These
ports are considered the gateways for their region's foreign trade & business.
Most of the Indian ports are dependent on Egypt, Australia & Rome in the past.
India exports textile, cotton, and spices to the world. In addition, it imports luxury items
like wine, glassware, and other pleasures and many prosperous items required to
enhance the region's market. Foreign trade is possible in the regions due to various
reasons. Still, the most crucial reason for the increasing foreign exchange is that
improved road & transportation made trade more accessible in the north and south
India.

Satavahana Architecture
They are experts in building a stupa. They have created many stupas which are popular
and well-known. Their architectural development can be represented in various ways,
like the sculpture of Amravati, where they also constructed a Buddhist stupa.
They have also built a stupa in the regions like goli, Amravati, and gaushala. Many
bricks and woodwork on the ashram stupa were replaced with stonework. They have
built many well-known stupas like Amravati and Nagarjuna Konda stupas.
Satavahana dynasty magnificence can be seen through Karle Chaitya, related to
Garbhagriha, Pradakshina Patha, and Mandapa.

Satavahana Social Organization

Satavahana is considered a tribe of Deccan, and they are pure brahman and follow the
four-fold of Varna system. Many active artisans and merchants indulged in trading and
commerce; however, as trade and business flourished, the importance of artisans' and
merchants’ positions in the market made the merchant's identity very precious.
Satavahana is not only kind enough towards the other religion but also the women of
their caste. This can be evidenced by the fact that kings were often named after their
mother’s name, which shows that women are respected in society as the first person.

Decline Of Satavahana
Finally, the end of the dynasty comes after Pulamavi IV. He was the last ruler in the
dynasty of Satavahana after his kingdom dynasty was segmented into five different
smaller parts. And this marks finally decline of the kingdom. He ruled till 225 AD.
Ikshvakus is considered the ruler who succeeded the Satavahana in the eastern region.
The best part was taken off by abhors, and Pallavas took off the southeast area.
Although the Satavahana dynasty is well known and established a dynasty, while
declined and swept out its kingdom just like another ruler, the Satavahana dynasty is
well available for the feature of the coinage system which was started by Satavahana
dynasty and made it so famous in the region, Satavahana also contributed to various
trade activities all over the world, which makes remember its presence in craft and
artwork.